CONCERN WORLDWIDE assists tsunami hit Trinco fishermen

[TamilNet, Saturday, 12 March 2005, 09:16 GMT]
CONCERN WORLDWIDE, an international non-governmental organization headquartered in Ireland has agreed to donate fishing boats, engines and fishing gear to fishermen of Veeranagar and Manayaveli-Sandycove suburbs in the Trincomalee town.

As the first phase Mr.Jack Finucone, Sri Lanka Country Director for CONCERN WORLDWIDE handed over the first batch of boats and engines to tsunami-affected fishermen of these two coastal suburbs at separate events held at Veeranagar and Manaiyaveli-Sandy Cove last Thursday.

Mr.Jack Finucone, Country Director of the Concern World Wide and Ms Michelle with RDF officials at the ceremony.

The project is being implemented through the Rural Development Foundation (RDF), a local NGO that has its headquarters in Puttalam in the Northwestern province, sources said.

According to RDF sources, the CONCERN WORLDWIDE has agreed to provide 70 new boats, engines and fishing gear to be shared by Veeranagar and Manayaveli-Sandycove fishermen.

CONCERN WORLDWIDE distributed four boats and engines to four fishermen of Veeranagar and two sets to fishermen of Manayaveli-Sandycove, the sources said.

Mr.Jack Finucone hands over a boat to a fiherman, affected by Tsunami.

At an event held at the office of the Manayaveli-Sandycove Fisheries Co-operative Society Mr.Jack Finucone said on receipt of the destruction caused to fishing industry by tsunami disaster his organization immediately decided to render a helping hand to Sri Lankan fishermen by supplying new fishing boats, engines and fishing gear to put back their livelihood on track.

His organization is ready to provide further assistance if the tsunami affected people in the district appeal, said Mr.Jack Finucone. Ms Michelle, VSO volunteer working with the RDF also spoke.